Network transcoding system

Abstract

The system is a distributed video transcoding system that allows content to be transformed from one digital format to another close to the ingest and delivery points to minimize the time and cost of the transfer between end points. Additionally by making transcoding an integral part of the distribution of content itself, significant efficiencies can be gained. The distribution can be improved by transcoding at different phases of the transfer. Within the system decisions can be made to utilize different transcoding resources based on various business rules and priorities.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for delivering content comprising:
 in a computer implemented processing system: 
 determining a Priority value of the content; 
 determining an Affinity value of the content, the Affinity value representing a job preference of a given transcoder; 
 scheduling the content at a transcoder based on the Priority and Affinity values, 
 wherein the Priority value is given by: 
 
       
         
           
             
               Priority 
               = 
               
                 
                   
                     V 
                     Content 
                   
                   
                     min 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         1 
                         , 
                         
                           
                             T 
                             Due 
                           
                           - 
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 T 
                                 Now 
                               
                               + 
                               
                                 T 
                                 Proc 
                               
                               + 
                               
                                 T 
                                 Transfer 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                 
                 · 
                 100 
               
             
           
         
         where 
         0<V Content ≦1, 
         V Content  represents a value associated with an owner of the content and adjusted based on a relative priority of the specific content source; 
         T Due  is a time the processed content is due at a destination; 
         T Proc  is a time required to process the content; 
         T Transfer  is a time required to transfer the content to and from a transcoding farm; and 
         T Now  is a current time. 
       
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the Affinity value is based on a delivery time, a cost to process, and a load balancing of transcoding clusters associated with the content. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein transcoding clusters are distributed geographically on a network. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the delivery time is dependent on a geographic location of a transcoding cluster. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein cost to process is dependent on the transcoding resources at a transcoding cluster. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the load balancing is dependent on the number of transcoding operations scheduled at a transcoding cluster.